To Bleach or Shave – For that is the Question

Has anyone noticed the latest hair-raising trend whisking its way through fashion? For years models have plucked – shaved and bleached their eyebrows into non-existence purely for the sake of being versatile. Now however it seems that eyebrows are being classed as ‘excess’ hair and are therefore being whipped away.

Bleached eyebrows: Katrin Thormann, Iris Strubegger and Ranya Mordanova. Photo: Catwalking.com

Initially adorned by catwalk models the trend has now spilled into the Autumn Winter 09/10 campaign for Givenchy women. The elements of the campaign are three images, each featuring androgynous like creatures with pale skin and dark hair that stare at you whilst they lounge in a Baroque style French chamber. Poised as if to pounce, it takes a while to put your finger on what exactly is missing until you realise - each is eyebrowless.

Givenchy A/W 09/10 - youarewhatyouwear.com

What was once a form of statement styling has now become an evocative trend – models Agyness Deyn, Katrin Thormann and Linda Evangelista have all removed their face framers whether from bleaching or waxing. Not only that, androgynous American model Kristen McMenamy, the pioneer behind the look during the nineties, was recently featured on the cover of Italian Vogue once again sporting the look.

Kristen McMenamy Vgoue Italia - www.style.it

Kristen McMenamy Vogue Italia - www.style.it

So could this be a substantial new trend? For years we have been told that the eyebrows were, if properly groomed, the thing to shape our faces, open our eyes and flatter our look but one must admit the hours of plucking, shaping, waxing, brushing and shading are exhausting. Could we be tempted to simply remove them?

“The current economic troubles open people up to be more daring and willing to don cutting-edge looks,” explains Pat McGrath, makeup artist to brands such as Balenciaga and Prada whom both featured the eye opening look.

Don’t however think this look is exclusive to those of the female sex. This month’s i-D magazine features an editorial on the trend for men, as designer Rick Owens recently presented the look at his menswear show in Paris. Rick however didn’t just stop at the eyebrows, oh-no, the look was carried on into the forehead until only the hair on the back of the head was left giving an inspired ‘asylum’ feel. A style fashion designer Gareth Pugh has recently adopted.

Rick Owens Menswear Paris 09/10 - bosquejo.blogspot.com

So could this be the future of our face – no eyebrows equals less emotion on the face obviously, but teamed with the rise in Botox sales could it only be a matter of time before our eyebrows cease to have a purpose? “Brows give a face expression - when they are not there the look hardens,” warns Marie Claire beauty and style editor Lisa Oxenham. So if you want to achieve the ‘blank-canvas’ heroin chic inspired look is there an alternative? “Gently tweaking eyebrows with bleach will give a subtle look - the same effect as freckles on blondes “. So maybe think twice before you reach for that razor!